Get your smoothie fix in Bangkok
Fresh fruit smoothies are refreshing. But many vendors in Thailand have a bad habit of adding syrup to make their smoothies sweeter. So if you’re looking for healthier fruit smoothie options, you’ll be glad to know that the popular American franchise Jamba Juice is now open in Thailand.
Jamba Juice has branches at Siam Paragon, The Emquartier and Mega Bangna. S Weekly visited the one at Paragon. Most customers buy drinks to take away, but for those who’d like to sit down and relax, there’s a small seating area next to the counter.
The menu provides a wide selection under four main categories - Classic Smoothies, Super Food Smoothies, Fresh Squeezed Juice and Energy Bowls. The prices, ranging from 110 to 180 baht, reflect the fact that all the ingredients are carefully selected and of the highest quality. All food and drink options are sugar and fat free.
FRESHEN UP
The Classic Smoothies menu features their three top-selling drinks - Strawberry Dream (strawberry, banana and soy milk), Banana Berry (banana, blueberry, apple and strawberry) and Mango A Go Go (mango, strawberry, passion fruit and pineapple). The prices for the three different sizes are 110, 125 and 130 baht. Customers can order all fruit or fruit mixed with sherbet, frozen yogurt or soy milk. We tried the Mango A Go Go and Strawberry Dream. The natural fruit flavours were very satisfying.
SUPER HEALTHY
Super Food Smoothies are a great choice for people who want something really healthy. Prices are 130 and 145 baht. We had the Green Getaway (mango, spinach, passion fruit, chia and yogurt) to test Jamba Juice’s claim that people who don’t like vegetables can drink it easily. One of our judges who hates vegetables said he was fine with the taste, but didn’t like the smell of spinach. We also tried the Protein Berry Workout (strawberry, banana and whey protein) which is popular among fitness enthusiasts who are trying to build their muscles. Most of us felt it tasted a bit like liquid medicine, but one of our judges, who was used to the flavour of whey protein, really enjoyed it.
SET THE JUICE LOOSE
The Fresh Squeezed Juice options come in two sizes at 140 and 160 baht. The Watermelon Apple was the recommended choice here, so we gave that a go. The colour was more orange than the red that we were used to. But the taste was great.
WHOLESOME BOWL
The last category is Energy Bowls. These consist of fruit, soy milk or yogurt and other tasty additions all in one bowl for 180 baht. We had the Chunky Strawberry Bowl (banana, strawberry, yogurt, peanut butter, granola and soy milk). This 580-calorie option was so crunchy and delicious we didn’t want to stop eating. But for those who are on a diet, perhaps they should go for one of the healthier items on the menu. The Berry Acai Bowl (banana, blueberry, soy milk, granola, yogurt and acai) and Mango Peach Bowl (banana, peach, mango, soy milk and yogurt) are 380 and 370 calories respectively.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!
If you want to make your drink or bowl even more nutritious, you can add one of the Whole Food Boosts available at the bar for 25 baht each. Choose from chia seeds, yogurt and spinach, which provide added goodness in the form of whey protein, zinc, antioxidants, soy protein, multivitamins and minerals.
Aside from the four main categories listed above, customers can order from a Secret Menu which includes drinks available in other countries but that don’t appear on menus at branches in Thailand.
Store Location:
Siam Paragon G Floor
The Emquartier, The Glass Quartier, B Floor
Mega Bangna, Mega Cineplex Zone
Contact:: www.facebook.com/jambajuicethailand
